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Business leaders, charities, trade unions and politicians have united to condemn the TSB.

Andrew McRae, police chair of the Federation of Small Businesses Scotland, said: “This suggests the decision to close local banks bears no relation to what customers want.

“For a long time, it has seemed obvious that the banks have been focused on dismantling their branch network, no matter how well used individual branches are.

“When a bank branch closes or reduces its hours, it makes life more difficult for local businesses, especially those dependent on cash like shops, cafes, and restaurants.”

In April, the TSB revealed that 71 of its Scottish branches will only be open part-time from this month.

Mark Brown, general secretary of the Affinity Union, which represents 25,000 bank workers at the TSB and Lloyds, believes the opening hours cuts is a prelude to further closures later this year.

He added: “This is all about reducing costs and the TSB will not save money by closing down the branches for a few hours. It is really a softening-up exercise to make people get used to a reduced service before their branch is axed.

“I think the TSB wants to shut the 71 branches altogether, even though there is clearly a growing demand. All these branches have a vital role to play in their local community. Once they close, I cannot see them ever reopening.”

Adam Stachura, head of policy at Age Scotland, said: “The fact that there has been an increase in customers at some of the branches on reduced hours shows there is still demand. This reduction in opening hours must not become an inevitable prelude to more closures.

Adam Stachura of Age Scotland is critical of the impact the move will have on older people (Image: Internet Unknown)

“But these cuts are already having an impact on older people. Not only is it harder for them to access cash but cuts can increase the risk of loneliness and isolation.

“If customers are being sent to branches which are not wheelchair accessible, then TSB must rectify this as a matter of urgency.

“Branches still have a vital role to play – half a million people over 60 in Scotland don’t have internet access so they are ­disadvantaged as banks push customers to digital options.”

The TSB has set out detailed figures showing the numbers of visits to the 71 branches, which we have obtained.

The Glasgow Anniesland branch has seen a recent drop of 19 per cent, while there has been a 90 per cent rise in other banking.

But the Sunday Mail found a host of branches where hours are being reduced despite little or no drop-off in customers. Of the 71 branches, 34 recorded drops in customer visits of five per cent or less. Overall across Scotland, the reduction in customers using branches where hours were being cut was less than six per cent.

We also found two branches are being told to reduce hours where there had been no cut in customers and three where there had only been a one per cent drop.

Scottish Lib Dem MP Jamie Stone, whose constituents in Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross have been hardest hit by branch closures, said: “It’s ridiculous that locals in some rural areas will now be forced to take ferries or long drives to reach a branch.

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“I am troubled to see these changes pinned on claims of reduced footfall when statistics show many of these branches haven’t recorded a substantial change and a number have even seen an increase in customers. Many people rely on access to face-to-face banking services – we must preserve it.”

Richard Taylor, of Positive Money, which campaigns for a fairer banking system, said: “Those in rural communities, small local retailers and the least able to access digital services are the hardest hit. We need to regulate retail banking properly to ensure it is available to all, everywhere.”

A TSB spokesman said the reduction in opening hours will take effect on July 29.

He added: “Over the past few years, we have seen the usage of branches continue to fall, with many customers increasingly using alternative TSB branches, online, mobile or phone banking.

“These changes mean that we have taken the difficult decision to close four branches in Scotland and reduce the opening hours of about 70 branches. Our principal aim is to try to stay within these communities and, by reducing hours, it allows us to do this.

“However, in order for them to remain viable, we do need local residents and small businesses to use our branches more for their wider financial needs.

“Branch partners are working with customers to support them as we make these changes. There will be no job losses.”